(19)
EuropaMsches Pat ntamt
Europ an Pat nt Offi
Office europeen d s brevets
(12)
(45) Date of publication and mention
of the grant of the patent:
1 6.04.2003 Bu If etln 2003/1 6
(21) Application number: 001 10631 .9
(22) Date of filing: 18.05.2000
(H) EP1 053 914 B1
EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION
(51) into* B60R 21/01, B60N 2/28
(54) Switch for an automatic child seat detection and manual air bag deactivation device
Schalter zur automatischen Kindersrtzerkennung und manueller Deaktivierung des Airbags
Commutateur de detection de la presence d'un siege d'enfant et de desactivation manuelle de I'airbag
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB
(30) Priority: 21.05.1999 JP 14224699
(43) Date of publication of application:
22.1 1 .2000 Bulletin 2000/47
(73) Proprietor: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
Aichi-ken 471-8571 (JP)
m
CO
O Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may giv
^ notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in
n a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art.
(72) Inventor: Miyagawa, Toshihito
Toyota-shl, Aichi-ken 471-8571 (JP)
(74) Representative:
Leson, Thomas Johannes Alois, Dipl.-lng. et al
Patentanwalte
Tiedtke-Buhling-Kinne & Partner,
Bavariaring 4
80336 Munchen (DE)
(56) References cited:
DE-C- 19 644 219
US-A- 5 866 954
US-A- 5 690 356
US-A- 5 882 035
l7j 99(1) European Patent Convention).
Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)
1
EP 1 053 914 B1
2
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to passenger-
side airbag apparatus activation control system and,
more particularly, to a system for controlling the activa-
tion of a passenger-side airbag apparatus capable of
deploying an airbag forward of a passenger seat on
which a child restraint seat is set.
2, Description of the Related Art
[0002] In known passenger-side airbag apparatus ac-
tivation control systems, a switch mechanism is incor-
porated into an ISO-FIX (International Standard-compli-
ant) anchor device provided in a passenger seat, and
an ISO-FIX (International Standard-compliant) child re-
straint seat (CRS) is set on the passenger seat. An ex-
ample of such systems is disclosed in United States Pat-
ent No. 5,690,356.
[0003] In the passenger-side airbag apparatus activa-
tion control system, as shown in FIG. 1 , ISO-FIX an-
chors 102 each incorporating a switch mechanism 100
is disposed within a passenger seat 104. When an
ISO-FIX CRS 106 is attached to the passenger seat
104, a passenger-side airbag apparatus activation cir-
cuit is automatically interrupted or turned off by the
switch mechanisms 100. In this passenger-side airbag
apparatus activation control system, when the ISO-FIX
CRS 106 is detached from the ISO-FIX anchors 102,
the passenger-side airbag apparatus activation circuit
automatically returns to a conductive state.
[0004] In the passenger-side airbag apparatus activa-
tion control system, however, if an International Stand-
ard-uncompliant CRS, that is, a CRS not compliant with
the International Standards, is attached to the passen-
ger seat 104, the passenger-side airbag apparatus ac-
tivation circuit is not interrupted. Therefore, it is neces-
sary to provide a switch mechanism for interrupting the
passenger-side airbag apparatus activation circuit in, for
example, an instrument panel or the like, so that an oc-
cupant can operate the switch mechanism to turn off the
passenger-side airbag apparatus activation circuit.
Therefore, the passenger-side airbag apparatus activa-
tion control system becomes complicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to
provide a passenger-side airbag apparatus activation
control system capable of interrupting a passenger-side
airbag apparatus activating circuit even when an Inter-
national Standard uncompliant CRS is attached, while
eliminating the need to add a further switch mechanism.
[0006] In accordance with the invention, a system for
controlling an activation of a passenger-side airbag ap-
paratus includ s a CRS switch mechanism that auto-
matically interrupts and recovers a passeng r sid air-
bag apparatus activating circuit upon attachment of an
5 international Standard-compliant CRS to and detach-
ment of the international Standard compliant CRS from
an International Standard-compliant anchor device dis-
posed in a passenger seat, and a manual operation
means for allowing the CRS switch mechanism to be
10 manually switched between an on state and an off state.
[0007] Therefore, when the ISO-FIX CRS is attached
to the ISO-FIX anchor device, the CRS switch mecha-
nism automatically interrupts the passenger-side airbag
apparatus activating circuit to prohibit the passenger-
's side airbag apparatus from being activated. When the
ISO-FIX CRS is detached from the ISO-FIX anchor de-
vice, the CRS switch mechanism automatically recovers
the passenger-side airbag apparatus activating circuit
so that the passenger-side airbag apparatus becomes
20 able to be activated. Furthermore, since the CRS switch
mechanism can be switched between the on state and
the off state by switching the manual operation means
on and off , the system is able to interrupt the passenger-
side airbag apparatus activating circuit even when an
25 international Standard-uncompliant CRS is attached to
the passenger seat, without a need to add a further
switch mechanism.
[0008] The above-described system may further in-
clude a cancel mechanism that removes an interrupted
30 state of the passenger-side airbag apparatus activating
circuit established by the manual operation means,
when the ISO-FIX CRS is attached to the ISO-FIX an-
chor device after the CRS switch mechanism has been
caused to interrupt the passenger-side airbag appara-
35 tus activating circuit by the manual operation means.
[0009] Therefore, when the ISO-FIX CRS is attached
to the ISO-FIX anchor device after the passenger-side
airbag apparatus activating circuit has been interrupted
by switching the CRS switch mechanism through the
40 manual operation means, the interrupted state of the
passenger-side airbag apparatus activating circuit es-
tablished by the manual operation means is removed,
that is, the manual operation means is switched to a side
for recovering the passenger-side airbag apparatus ac-
45 tivating circuit. Hence, the CRS switch mechanism can
be automatically switched to the side for recovering the
passenger-side airbag apparatus activating circuit by at-
taching the ISO-FIX CRS.
[0010] The above-described system may further in-
so elude a warning means for outputting a warning when
only one of a pair of manual operation means corre-
sponding to a pair of ISO-FIX anchor devices is off.
[001 1] Therefore, when only one of the pair of manual
operation means corresponding to the pair of ISO-FIX
55 anchor devices is off, a warning is produced by the warn-
ing means. Hence, if the manual operation of the manual
operation means corresponding to the pair of ISO-FIX
anchor devices is incomplete when an International
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EP1 053 914B1
4
Standard-uncompliant CRS is attached to th passen-
ger seat or if the attachment of the ISO-FIX CRS is in-
compl te, it is possible to mak an occupant realiz
such an incomplet state.
[0012] Furthermore, the above-described system
may further include a cooperation means for causing a
first one of a pair of manual operation means to coop-
erate with a second one of the pair of manual operation
means when the second one of the pair of manual op-
eration means is operated.
[001 3] Therefore, when the second manual operation
means is operated, the first manual operation means is
switched together with the second manual operation
means. Therefore, it becomes possible to prevent a us-
er's error of leaving one of the manual operation means
unoperated and to omit some of the component parts of
the manual operation means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The foregoing object, features and advantages
of the present invention will become apparent from the
following description of preferred embodiments with ref-
erence to the accompanying drawings, wherein like nu-
merals are used to represent like elements and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from a point di-
agonally rearwardly outward of a vehicle, illustrating
a system for controlling an activation of a system
for controlling an activation of a passenger seat- 30
side airbag apparatus according to a first embodi-
ment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view taken from
a point diagonally rearwardly outward of the vehicle,
illustrating a CRS switch mechanism of the passen- 35
ger-side airbag apparatus activation control system
of the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the CRS switch
mechanism of the passenger-side airbag apparatus
activation control system of the first embodiment of *o
the invention;
FIG. 4 is a side sectional view illustrating a state
where an ISO-FIX CRS is attached in the passen-
ger-side airbag apparatus activation control system
of the first embodiment of the invention; 45
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view illustrating a state
where the passenger-side airbag apparatus activa-
tion control system of the first embodiment of the
invention is manually operated;
FIG. 6 is a side sectional view illustrating a state 50
after the manual operation of the passenger-side
airbag apparatus activation control system of the
first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the passenger-side air-
bag apparatus activation control system of the first 55
embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view taken from
a point diagonally rearwardly outward of a vehicle,
[001 5] A first preferred embodiment of the passe nger-
side airbag apparatus activation control system of the
invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to
7.
[0016] In each drawing, an arrow FR indicates a for-
ward direction with respect to a vehicle, and an arrow
UP indicates an upward direction with respect to the ve-
hicle, and an arrow IN indicates an inward direction
along a width of the vehicle.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 , a passenger seat 1 0, that
is, a vehicle-installed seat for an occupant to sit in, is
connected to a floor surface of the vehicle via right and
left-side seat tracks (not shown) extending parallel to
each other in fore-aft directions with respect to the ve-
hicle, so that the passenger seat 1 0 can be moved to a
predetermined position in the fore-aft directions relative
to the floor surface. An instrument panel 12 is disposed
between a windshield and the floor surface forward of
the passenger seat 10.
[001 8] A rod 1 8 extends between upper rear end por-
tions 1 6A of right and left-side seat cushion frames 16.
A seatback 1 0A is pivotable about the rod 1 8 in the fore-
aft directions. A bracket 20 extends between lower rear
end portions 1 6B of the right and left-side seat cushion
frames 16. Anchor bars 22, that is, International Stand-
ard-compliant (ISO-FIX) anchors, are fixed at their lower
end portions to portions of the bracket 20 that are closer
to opposite ends of the bracket 20 in the directions of its
length.
[0019] A child restraint seat 26 set on a seat cushion
1 0B of the passenger seat 1 0 is an international Stand-
ard-compliant child restraint seat (ISO-FIX CRS). The
CRS 26 has right and left-side fastening attachments 28
that are spaced from each other by a predetermined in-
terval in the directions of the width of the CRS 26. The
fastening attachments 28 extend in a forward-rearward
direction with respect to the CRS 26, that is, forward of
the CRS 26 (away from a seatback portion of the CRS
26) in FIG. 1 . CRS switch mechanisms 30 are disposed
at sites in the seat cushion 1 0B at which the anchor bars
22 are disposed.
illustrating a CRS switch mechanism of a passen-
ger-side airbag apparatus activation control system
according to a second mbodimentofth invention;
FIG. 9 is an nlarged perspective view taken from
a point diagonally r arwardly outward of a vehicle,
illustrating a CRS switch mechanism of a passen-
ger-side airbag apparatus activation control system
according to another embodiment of the invention;
and
FIG. 1 0 is a perspective view taken from a point di-
agonally rearwardly outward of a vehicle, illustrating
a related-art passenger-side airbag apparatus acti-
vation control system.
15 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
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EP 1 053 914 B1
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[0020] As shown In FIG. 2, each anchor bar 22 Is
formed by a bar material that has a circular sectional
shape. A distal nd portion of each anchor bar 22 ex-
tends forward with respect to the vehicle, and is curved
into a "IT shape in a plan view, A distal nd portion of
each fastening attachment 28 of the CRS 26 has a "IT-
shape cutout 28A that receives therein the distal end
portion 22A of the corresponding anchor bar 22. Each
fastening attachment 28 has in its cutout 28A a lock bar
28B having an "L" shape in a side view. The lock bar
28B of each fastening attachment 28 is pivoted up and
down (in directions indicated by an arrow E and an arrow
F in FIG. 2) in accordance with operation of an operating
lever (not shown), or automatically in association with
attachment of the CRS 26 to the passenger seat 10.
[0021] Therefore, when the lock bars 28B are turned
downward (in the direction of the arrow F in FIG. 2) with
the distal end portions 22A of the anchor bars 22 set in
the cutouts 2BA of the fastening attachments 28, a distal
end portion of each lock bar 28B engages with a rear-
ward portion of the distal end portion 22A of the corre-
sponding anchor bar 22, thus assuming a locked state
as shown in FIG. 4.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, each CRS switch mecha-
nism 30 has a CRS detection switch 32, a key cylinder
34 provided as a manual operation device, a switch on/
off lever 36, an arm 38, and a pin 40, and is disposed in
a case 37. Since the right and left-side CRS-fastening
constructions are substantially the same in this embod-
iment, one of them will be referred to as a representative
in the following description of the embodiment. An end
portion 36A of the switch on/off lever 36 has a "T shape,
and has an elongated hole 39. The pin 40 extending up-
ward from a distal end portion 38A of the arm 38 con-
nected to a rotating shaft of the key cylinder 34 is insert-
ed in the elongated hole 39. Therefore, when the key
cylinder 34 is turned by using an ignition key 42, the arm
38 is turned to move the switch on/off lever 36 forward
or rearward with respect to the vehicle.
[0023] When the fastening attachment 28 of the CRS
26 is not engaged with the anchor bar 22 as shown in
FIG. 3, the detection switch 32 is on, with an actuator
32A of the CRS detection switch 32 being lowered (in a
direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 3).
[0024] When the fastening attachment 28 of the CRS
26 becomes engaged with the anchor bar 22 to assume
the locked state as shown in FIG. 4, the actuator 32 A of
the CRS detection switch 32 slides along a sloped sur-
face formed in a distal end portion of the fastening at-
tachment 28, so that the actuator 32A is pushed in, that
is, pushed upward. Thus, the CRS detection switch 32
is switched off.
[0025] If an International Standard-uncompliant CRS,
that is, a CRS not compliant with the International Stand-
ards, is fastened to the passenger seat, the two key cyl-
inders 34 are turned toward an OFF position by using
the ignition key 42 as shown in FIG. 5 while the seatback
1 0A is placed in a forwardly inclined position as indicat-
ed by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1. Through the oper-
ation of turning each key cylinder 34, the corresponding
arm 38 is turn d to move the switch on/off lever 36 for-
ward with respect to the vehicle (in a direction indicated
s by an arrow B In FIG. 5), so that the actuator 32A of the
CRS d tection switch 32 is pushed in and, therefore,
switched off, by the switch on/off lever 36.
[0026] After the key cylinder 34 has been turned to
the OFF position by using the ignition key 42 (as shown
10 in FIG. 5) and the ignition key 42 is pulled out of the key
cylinder 34 as shown in FIG. 6, the state in which the
actuator 32A of the CRS detection switch 32 is pushed
in and the CRS detection switch 32 is off is maintained
by the switch on/off lever 36.
*5 [0027] To remove the state shown in FIG. 6, the key
cylinder 34 is turned to an ON position by using the ig-
nition key 42. When the fastening attachment 28 of the
ISO-FIX CRS 26 is engaged with the anchor bar 22 as
shown in FIG. 4, the fastening attachments 28 push
back the corresponding switch on/off levers 36 rearward
with respect to the vehicle (in the direction of the arrow
C in FIG. 5). That is, the switch on/off lever 36, the arm
38 and the pin 40 of each CRS switch mechanism 30
form a cancel mechanism for removing the interruption
of a passenger-side airbag apparatus activating circuit.
Therefore, upon attachment of the CRS 26 to the anchor
bars 22, the interruption of the passenger-side airbag
apparatus activating circuit established by using the key
cylinder 34 is removed.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 7, the right and left-side CRS
detection switches 32 are connected to an airbag appa-
ratus control circuit 46 by electric wires. The airbag ap-
paratus control circuit 46 is connected to a passenger-
side airbag apparatus 47 disposed in the instrument
panel 12 provided forward of the passenger seat 1 0 and
to an impact sensor 49 that senses a deceleration that
occurs on the vehicle at the time of an impact. The air-
bag apparatus control circuit 46 is also connected to an
indicator 50 provided as a warning device in a substan-
tially central portion of the instrument panel 12 in the
direction of the width of the vehicle.
[0029] The indicator 50 illuminates an "OFF" indica-
tion by yellow light as shown in FIG. 1 when both the
CRS detection switches 32 are off. When only one of
the CRS detection switches 32 is off, the indicator 50
blinks the yellow light of the "OFF" indication to warn an
occupant that the manual operation of the key cylinders
34 is incomplete and that the fastening of the ISO-FIX
CRS 26 is incomplete.
[0030] As for the passenger-side airbag apparatus
47, circuitry may be designed so that if at least one of
the CRS detection switches 32 is off, the passenger-
side airbag apparatus 47 is prevented from being acti-
vated.
[0031] The operation of the embodiment will next be
described.
[0032] In this embodiment, when the CRS 26 is set
on the seat cushion 1 0B of the passenger seat 1 0, each
25
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35
40
45
50
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EP1 053 914B1
6
lock bar 28B is turned upward (in the direction of the
arrow E in FIG. 2) by operating the operating lev r (not
shown) or automatically in association with the setting
of the CRS 26 onto th pass nger s at 10. While this
state is maintained, the CRS 26 is furth r moved rear- s
ward with respect to the v hide along the s at cushion
10B. When each lock bar 28B turns downward (in the
direction of the arrow F in FIG. 2) , the distal end portion
of each lock bar 28B engages with a rearward portion
of the distal end portion 22A of the anchor bar 22, thus
entering the locked state.
[0033] Duringthis fastening movement of theCRS 26,
the actuators 32A of the right and left-side CRS detec-
tion switches 32 are pushed upward while sliding along
the inclined surfaces 28C formed in distal end portions
of the fastening attachments 28, thus switching the CRS
detection switches 32 off. Thus, the airbag apparatus
control circuit 46 turns off the passenger-side airbag ap-
paratus 47, that is, prevents the passenger-side airbag
apparatus 47 from being activated even when an impact
is detected by the impact sensor 49.
[0034] If the fastening of the CRS 26 is incomplete so
that only one of the CRS detection switches 32 is off,
the airbag apparatus control circuit 46 blinks the yellow
light of the "OFF" indication of the indicator 60 to warn
an occupant that the fastening of the CRS 26 is incom-
plete.
[0035] When the C RS 26 is detached from the anchor
bars 22, the actuator 32A of each CRS detection switch
32 moves downward (in the direction of the arrow A in
FIG. 3) as shown in FIG. 3. The CRS detection switches
32 thus return to the ON state, so that the passenger-
side airbag apparatus 47 becomes abie to be activated.
[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if an Interna-
tional Standard-uncompliant CRS is attached to the
passenger seat, each key cylinder 34 is turned to the
OFF position by using the ignition key 42 as shown in
FIG. 5 while the seatback 1 0A is placed in the forwardly
inclined position as indicated by the two-dot chain line
in FIG. 1 .Through this the operation of turning each key
cylinder 34, the corresponding arm 38 is turned to move
the switch on/off lever 36 forward with respect to the ve-
hicle (in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 5), so that
the actuator 32A of the CRS detection switch 32 is
pushed in and, therefore, switched off, by the switch on/
off lever 36. Thus, even when an International Standard-
uncompliant CRS is fastened to the passenger seat 1 0,
the passenger-side airbag apparatus 47 allows the air-
bag apparatus control circuit 46 to be interrupted, with-
out employing a further switch mechanism.
[0037] Still further, in this embodiment, if only one of
the pair of key cylinders 34 is turned off by using the
ignition key 42, the airbag apparatus control circuit 46
blinks the yellow light of the "OFF" indication of the in-
dicator 50 to warn an occupant that the manual opera-
tion of the key cylinders 34 is Incomplete. Therefore, the
embodiment is able to make the occupant realize that
the manual operation of the pair of key cylinders 34
through th us of the key cylinder 34 is incomplete.
[0038] To remov the aforem ntioned state (as
shown in FIG. 5), each k y cylinder 34 is turned to the
ON position by using the ignition key 42. Alternatively,
when the fastening attachments 28 of the ISO-FIX CRS
26 are engaged with the anchor bars 22, the fastening
attachments 28 push the switch on/off levers 36 rear-
ward with respect to the vehicle (in the direction of the
arrow C) as shown in FIG. 4. That is, by fastening the
ISO-FIX CRS 26 to the anchor bars 22, the interruption
of the passenger-side airbag apparatus activating circuit
accomplished by the key cylinders 34 can be removed.
That is, by attaching the ISO-FIX CRS 26, the CRS
switch mechanisms are automatically switched to a side
for recovering the passenger-side airbag apparatus ac-
tivating circuit.
[0039] A second embodiment of the passenger-side
airbag apparatus activation control system of the inven-
tion will be described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0040] Members and portions of the second embodi-
ment comparable to those of the first embodiment are
represented in FIG. 8 by comparable reference charac-
ters, and will not be described again below.
[0041] In this embodiment, a first one of right and left-
side CRS switch mechanisms 30, for example, a CRS
switch mechanism 30 disposed outwardly in a passen-
ger compartment of a vehicle, is provided with a key cyl-
inder 34, whereas the second CRS switch mechanism
30, for example, the CRS switch mechanism 30 dis-
posed closer to the center of the compartment, is not
provided with a key cylinder 34, as shown in FIG. 8. In
the first CRS switch mechanism 30 provided with the
key cylinder 34, one end portion 56A of a wire 56 pro-
vided as a cooperation device is connected to a distal
end portion 38A of an arm 38. The other end 56B of the
wire 56 is connected to a distal end portion 38A of an
arm 38 provided in the second CRS switch mechanism
30. Therefore, by turning the key cylinder 34 of the first
CRS switch mechanism 30, the arm 38 of the second
CRS switch mechanism 30 can be turned together.
[0042] The operation of this embodiment will be de-
scribed below.
[0043] In addition to the operations of the first embod-
iment, the second embodiment allows the two CRS de-
tection switches 32 to be switched simultaneously by
turning the key cylinder 34 provided in one of the CRS
switch mechanisms 30 since the arm 38 of the CRS
switch mechanism 30 is drivingly connected to the arm
38 of the other CRS switch mechanism 30 by the wire
56. Therefore, this embodiment prevents a user's error
of leaving one of the two CRS switch mechanisms 30
unoperated. Furthermore, since a key cylinder 34 is
omitted from one of the two CRS switch mechanisms
30, the embodiment allows a weight reduction and a
cost reduction.
[0044] While the present invention has been de-
scribed with reference to what are presently considered
to be preferred embodiments thereof, it should be ap-
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30
35
40
45
50
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EP1 053 914 B1
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parent to those skilled in the art that the pr sent inv n-
tion is not limit d to the disclosed embodiments or con-
structions. On the contrary, the pres nt invention is in-
t nded to cover various modifications and equivalent ar-
rangements. For example, although in th foregoing
embodiments, the arms 38 are turned to mov the
switch on/off levers 36 forward with respect to the vehi-
cle by turning at least one key cylinder 34 through the
use of the ignition key 42, the at least one key cylinder
34 may be turned by using a key other than the ignition
key 42. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, each arm 38
may also be turned to move the corresponding switch
on/off lever 36 forward with respect to the vehicle by di-
rectly turning a key cylinder 34 through the use of an
operating knob 52 that partiaily forms a manual opera-
tion device connected to the key cylinder 34. Although
in the foregoing embodiment, the yellow light of the
"OFF indication of the indicator 50 disposed in a sub-
stantially central portion of the instrument panel 12 in
the direction of the width of the vehicle is flashed on and
off as a means for warning an occupant, the warning
means Is not limited to flashing yellow light. For exam-
ple, an indicator light other than yellow light may be sim-
ply turned on or flashed on and off. It is also possible to
use other warning means, such as a buzzer or the like.
ger-side airbag apparatus according to claim 2,
charact rized in that the manual operation m ans
(34, 36, 38) is conn cted to th mechanical switch
(32), and allows the mechanical switch (32) to b
s manually switched on and off.
4. A system for controlling an activation of a passen-
ger-side airbag apparatus according to claim 2,
characterized in:
that the manual operation means (34, 36, 38)
includes a manually operable key cylinder (34),
and an arm (36, 38) cooperable with the key
cylinder (34), and
that the mechanical switch (32) is pushed by
the arm.
5. A system for controlling an activation of a passen-
ger-side airbag apparatus according to claim 4,
characterized in that when the International
Standard-compliant CRS (26) is attached to the In-
ternational Standard-compliant anchor device (22),
the fastening attachment (28) pushes and moves
the arm to a position where the arm (36, 38) is out
of a contact with the mechanical switch (32).
10
15
6. A system for controlling an activation of a passen-
ger-side airbag apparatus according to claim 1,
characterized by further comprising a cancel
30 mechanism (34, 36, 38) that removes an interrupted
state of the passenger-side airbag apparatus acti-
vating circuit (46) established by the manual oper-
ation means (34, 36, 38), when the International
Standard-compliant CRS (26) is attached to the In-
35 ternational Standard-compliant anchor device (22)
after the CRS switch mechanism (30) has been
caused to interrupt the passenger-side airbag ap-
paratus activating circuit (46) by the manual opera-
tion means (34, 36, 38).
40
7. A system for controlling an activation of a passen-
ger-side airbag apparatus according to claim 1,
characterized by further comprising warning
means (50) for outputting a warning when only one
4* of a pair of manual operation means (34, 36, 38)
corresponding to a pair of international Standard-
compliant anchor devices (22) is off.
8. A system for controlling an activation of a passen-
50 ger-side airbag apparatus according to claim 7,
characterized in that when the pair of manual op-
eration means (34, 36, 38) are both off, the warning
means (50) indicates that the passenger-side air-
bag apparatus (47) is in an activation -prevented
55 state.
Claims
1 . A system for controlling an activation of a passen-
ger-side airbag apparatus, comprising:
a child restraint seat (CRS) switch mechanism
(30) that automatically interrupts and recovers
a passenger-side airbag apparatus activating
circuit (46) upon attachment of an International
Standard-compliant CRS (26) to and upon de-
tachment of the International Standard-compli-
ant CRS (26) from an international Standard-
compliant anchor device (22) disposed in a
passenger seat; and characterized by
manual operation means (34, 36, 38) for allow-
ing the CRS switch mechanism (30) to be man-
ually switched between an on state and an off
state.
2. A system for controlling an activation of a passen-
ger-side airbag apparatus according to claim 1,
characterized in that the CRS switch mechanism
(30) includes a mechanical switch (32) that is oper-
able by a fastening attachment (28) provided in the
International Standard-compliant CRS (26), and
switches the passenger-side airbag apparatus (47)
between an activation -allowed state and an activa-
tion-prevented state upon the mechanical switch
(32) being switched on and off.
3. A system for controlling an activation of a passen-
9. A system for controlling an activation of a passen
ger-side airbag apparatus according to claim 1,
6
11
EP1 053 914 B1
12
haract rlzed In that the passenger-side airbag
apparatus (47) is switched to an activation-prevent-
ed state when only one of a pair of manual operation
means (34, 36, 38) corresponding to a pair of Inter-
nationa! Standard-compliant anchor devic s (22) is 5
off.
10. A system for controlling an activation of a passen-
ger-side airbag apparatus according to claim 1 ,
characterized by further comprising cooperation 10
means (56) for causing a first one of a pair of manual
operation means (34, 36, 38) to cooperate with a
second one of the pair of manual operation means
(34, 36, 38) when the second one of the pair of man-
ual operation means (34, 36, 38) is operated. *5
PatentansprOche
1. Steuerungssystem zur Aktivierung einer Beifah- 20
rerairbagvorrichtung mit:
einem Umschaltmechanismus (30) fur einen
Kinderruckhaltesitz (CRS), der einen
Beifahrerairbagaktivierungsschaltkreis (46) 25
automatisch offnet und schlieBt, wenn ein inter-
national standardisierter Kinderruckhaltesitz
(26) an einer an einem Beifahrersitz angeord-
neten internationai standardisierten Veranke-
rungsvorrichtung (22) befestigt bzw. davon ge- 30
lost wird;
gekennzeichnet durch
eine manueile Betatigungseinrichtung (34, 36,
38), die ein manuelles Umschalten zwischen
einem angeschaltetem Zustand und einem 35
ausgeschaltetem Zustand des CRS-Umschalt-
mechanismus (30) ermoglicht.
2. Steuerungssystem zur Aktivierung einer Beifah-
rerairbagvorrichtung gemaB Anspruch 1 , dadurch 40
gekennzeichnet, dass der CSR- Umschaltmecha-
nismus (30) einen mechanischen Umschalter (32)
hat, der durch ein an dem international standardi-
sierten Kinderruckhaltesitz (26) vorgesehenes Be-
festigungselement (28) betatigbar ist und die Bei- 45
fahrerairbagvorrichtung (47) zwischen einem Akti-
vieningsfreigabezustand und einem Aktivierungs-
sperrzustand beim Ein- und Ausschalten des me-
chanischen Schalters umschaltet.
so
3. Steuerungssystem zur Aktivierung einer Beifah-
rerairbagvorrichtung gemaB Anspruch 2, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass die manuelien Betati-
gungseinrichtung (34, 36, 38) mit dem mechani-
schen Umschalter (32) verbunden ist und ermog- 55
licht, den mechanischen Umschalter (32) manuell
ein- und auszuschalten.
4. St uerungssystem zur Aktivierung einer Beifah-
rerairbagvorrichtung gem§B Anspruch 2, dadurch
g kennz ichnet, dass
di manueile Betatigungseinrichtung (34, 36,
38) ein n manuell betatigbaren SchlieBzylinder
(34) und ein n mit dem SchlieBzylinder (34) zusam-
menwirkfahigen Arm (36, 38) hat, und dass
der mechanische Umschalter (32) von dem
Arm gedruckt wird.
5. Steuerungssystem zur Aktivierung einer Beifah-
rerairbagvorrichtung gemaB Anspruch 4, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass das Befestigungselement
(28) den Ann druckt und in eine Stellung bewegt, in
der der Arm (36, 38) mit dem mechanischen Um-
schalter (32) nicht in Kontakt ist, wenn der interna-
tional standardisierte Kinderruckhaltesitz (26) an
der international standardisierten Verankerungs-
vorrichtung (22) angebracht ist.
6. Steuerungssystem zur Aktivierung einer Beifah-
rerairbagvorrichtung gemaB Anspruch 1, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass es ferner einen Aufhe-
bungsmechanismus (34, 36, 38) aufweist, der ei-
nen durch die manuelien Betatigungseinrichtungen
(34, 36, 38) aufgestellten Unterbrechungszustand
des Beifahrerairbagaktivierungsschaltkreises auf-
hebt, wenn der international standardisierte Kinder-
ruckhaltesitz (26) an der international standardisier-
ten Verankerungsvorrichtung (22) angebracht wird,
nachdem der CRS-Umschaltmechanismus (30)
durch die manueile Betatigungseinrichtung (34, 36,
38) veranlasst worden war, den Beifah rerairbagak-
tivierungsschaltkreis (46) zu unterbrechen.
7. Steuerungssystem zur Aktivierung einer Beifah-
rerairbagvorrichtung gemaB Anspruch 1, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass es ferner Warneinrichtun-
gen (50) zum Ausgeben einer Warnung aufweist,
wenn lediglich eine Betatigungseinrichtung eines
Paars von manuelien Betatigungseinrichtungen
(34, 36, 38) bei einem Paar international standardi-
sierter Verankerungsvorrichtungen (22) ausge-
schaltet ist.
8. Steuerungssystem zur Aktivierung einer Beifah-
rerairbagvorrichtung gemaB Anspruch 7, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass die Warneinrichtungen (50)
einen Aktivierungssperrzustand der Beifahrerair-
bagvorrichtung (47) anzeigt, wenn beide manuelien
Betatigungseinrichtungen (34, 36, 38) ausgeschal-
tet sind.
9. Steuerungssystem zur Aktivierung einer Beifah-
rerairbagvorrichtung gemaB Anspruch 1, dadurch
g kennzeichnet, dass die Beifah rerairbagvorrich-
tung (47) auf den Aktivierungszustand umgeschal-
tet wird, wenn nur eine Betatigungsvorrichtung ei-
7
13
EP1 053 914B1
14
nes Paars manuell r Betatigungsvorrichtungen
(34, 36, 38) bei ein m Paar international standardl-
siert r V rankerungsvorrichtungen (22) ausge-
schaltet ist.
10. Steuerungssystem zur Aktivierung einer Beifah-
rerairbagvorrichtung gemaB Anspruch 1, dadurch
gekennzeichnet, dass es ferner eine Kopplungs-
einrichtung (56) aufweist, die die erste eines Paars
manueller Betatigungseinrichtungen (34, 36, 38)
veranlasst, mit einer zweiten des Paars manueller
Betatigungseinrichtungen zusammenzuwirken,
wenn die zweite Betatigungsvorrichtung des Paars
manueller Betatigungsvorrichtungen (34, 36, 38)
betatigtwird.
Revendlcations
passager selon la r vendication 2, cara terlse n
ce qu les moyens de manoeuvr manuelle (34,
36, 38) sont connects k un int rrupteur m§canique
(32) t permettent de commuter manuellem ntsur
5 marche et arr§t Tint rrupteur mecanique (32).
4. Systeme destin6 k commander une activation d'un
appareil de coussin de securite gonflable du cdte
passager selon ia revendication 2, caracterise en
10 ceque:
ies moyens de manoeuvre manuelle (34, 36,
38) comprennent un barillet de serrure (34)
pouvant §tre manoeuvre manuellement et un
15 bras (36, 38) pouvant cooperer avec ie barillet
de serrure (34) et
rinterrupteur nrtecanique (32) est pouss§ par le
bras.
1 . Systeme destine k commander une activation d'un 20
appareil de coussin de security gonflable du c6te
passager, comprenant :
un mecanisme d'interrupteur de siege de rete-
nue d'enfant (CRS) (30) qui interrompt et r6ta- 25
blit automatiquement un circuit d'activation d'un
appareil de coussin de securite gonflable du cd-
te passager (46) Ions de la fixation d'un CRS
(26) conforme k ia norme intemationale lors de
la fixation et du demontage du CRS (26) con- 30
f orme a la norme intemationale k partir d'un dis-
positif d'ancrage (22) conforme a la norme in-
temationale dispose dans un sfege passager ;
et
35
caracterise par :
des moyens de manoeuvre manuelle (34, 36,
38) pourpermettrede commuter manuellement
le mecanisme d'interrupteur de CRS (30) entre 40
un 6tat de marche et un etat d'arret.
2. Systeme destine a commander une activation d'un
appareil de coussin de securite gonflable du c6te
passager selon la revendication 1 , caracterise en *s
ce que le mecanisme d'interrupteur de CRS (30)
comprend un interrupteur mecanique (32) qui peut
etre manoeuvre par une attache de fixation (28)
prdvue dans le CRS (26) conforme a la norme in-
temationale et qui commute I'appareil de coussin so
de securite gonflable c6te passager (47) entre un
6\at dans lequel I'activation est autorisee et un 6tat
dans lequel I'activation est empechee lors de la
commutation sur marche et arret de rinterrupteur
mecanique (32). 55
3. Systeme destine a commander une activation d'un
appareil de coussin de securite gonflable du c6t6
5. Systeme destine a commander une activation d'un
appareil de coussin de s6curite gonflable du cdte
passager selon la revendication 4, caracterise en
ce que, Lorsque Ton fixe le CRS (26) conforme a
la norme intemationale au dispositif d'ancrage (22)
conforme k la norme intemationale, Pattache de
fixation (28) pousse et deplace le bras dans une po-
sition ou ie bras (36, 38) est hors de contact avec
I'interrupteur mecanique (32).
6. Systeme destine k commander une activation d'un
appareil de coussin de securite gonflable du c6te
passager selon la revendication 1 , caracterise en
ce qu'il comprend de plus un mecanisme d'annuia-
tion (34, 36, 38) qui supprime un §tat interrompu du
circuit d'activation de I'appareil de coussin de secu-
rite gonflable du cdte passager (46) etabli par les
moyens de manoeuvre manuelle (34, 36, 38), lors-
que le CRS (26) conforme k ia norme intemationale
est fix6 au dispositif d'ancrage (22) conforme k la
norme Internationale aprds que ie mecanisme d'in-
terrupteur de CRS (30) a ete amen<§ a interrompre
le circuit d'activation de I'appareil de coussin de se-
curite gonflable du cote passager (46) par les
moyens de manoeuvre manuelle (34, 36, 38).
7. Systeme destine a commander une activation d'un
appareil de coussin de securite gonflable du cote
passager selon la revendication 1 , caracterise en
ce qu'il comprend de plus un moyen divertisse-
ment (50) pour d6iivrer un avertissement lorsqu'un
seul parmi une paire de moyens de manoeuvre ma-
nuelle (34, 36, 38) correspondant a une paire de
dispositifs d'ancrage (22) conformes a la norme In-
ternationale est sur arret.
8. Systeme destine a commander une activation d'un
appareil de coussin de securite gonflable du cote
passager selon la revendication 7, caracterise n
8
15
EP1 053 914 B1
que, lorsque les deux moyens de manoeuvre
manueile (34, 36, 36) sont tous ies deux sur arret,
le moy n d'avertiss m nt (50) indiqu que I'appa-
reil de coussin de s§curite gonf fable du c6te passa-
ger (47) est dans un 6tat oCj I'activation est emp§- s
ch§e.
9. Systeme destin§ k commander une activation d'un
appareil de coussin de s6curit6 gonflable du c6t6
passager selon la revendication 1 , caracterlse en 10
ce que I'appareil de coussin de security gonflable
du c6t6 passager (47) est commute sur un 6tat dans
lequel I'activation est empechee lorsqu'un seul par-
mi une paire de moyens de manoeuvre manueile
(34, 36, 38) correspondent k une paire de dispositifs *s
d'ancrage (22) conformes k la norme intemationaie,
est sur arr§t.
10. Systeme destin6 k commander une activation d'un
appareil de coussin de security gonflable du c6t6 20
passager selon la revendication 1 , caracterlse en
ce qu'il comprend de plus un moyen de coop6ration
(56) pour amener un premier parmi une paire de
moyens de manoeuvre manueile (34, 36, 38) k coo-
perer avec un deuxteme parmi la paire de moyens 25
de manoeuvre manueile (34, 36, 38) lorsque le
deuxfeme parmi la paire de moyens de manoeuvre
manueile (34, 36, 38) est manoeuvre.
55
EP 1 053 914 B1
EP 1 053 914 B1
11
EP 1 053 914 B1
12
EP 1 053 914 B1
CL
I ill
13
EP 1 053 914 B1
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EP 1 053 914 B1
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EP 1 053 914 B1
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16
EP 1 053 914 B1
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EP 1 053 914 B1
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EP 1 053 914 B1
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